Monday, 30 December 2013

A partially-sighted escort agency boss, who illegally pocketed almost £176,000 in benefits - including a massive claim for approximately 60,000 miles in non-existent taxi rides - has been ordered to repay 7.5% of the money.

Under a government disability scheme businessman Andrew Pishides, 39, billed the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for daily 100 mile round-trip £180 fares for four years - supporting the claims with forged receipts.

After Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings Harrow Crown Court ordered him to pay £13,190 to the DWP within six months or serve twelve months imprisonment.

"You must have lived very well for those four years," sentencing Judge Jeremy Donne QC told Pishides, who ran 'Escort Emporium', 'Escort Solutions' and a letting agency for parking spaces called 'Park Let'.

"These offences reflect a moderately sophisticated and extremely persistent fraud that garnered you just shy of one hundred and eighty thousand pounds.

"The benefits represented an income of over forty thousand a year and in addition you had legitimate sources of twenty thousand a year, which would have been equivalent to a six-figure salary before tax."

Pishides, of Alexander House, Broadfields Way, Neasden was originally sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years, placed on a twelve month supervision order with a three-month electronically-tagged evening curfew.

"Is it right that you should go to prison for four-and-a-half months? I confess I find this difficult," announced the judge. "I have a clear public duty to deal with people who commit offences like these, but on balance i am persuaded a prison sentence can be suspended."

Pishides pleaded guilty to three counts of obtaining money transfers by deception, namely £106,000 in access to work payments; £37,328 in housing benefit; £28, 637 in income support and evading a liability by deception, namely £3,874 in council tax.

DWP investigators mounted a surveillance operation, which confirmed their suspicions that Pishides did not travel from his home in north-west London to Wrotham in rural Kent three times a week to work as a software salesman.

The access to work scheme offers financial assistance with travel costs to those with disabilities.

He also failed to declare all of his bank accounts, his business income and part-ownership of a mortgage-free Lewisham flat.

Investigators discovered hundreds of pounds a week were being paid into Pishides' bank account from a large number of women who had signed-up to be his escorts.

The DWP are pursuing compensation under the Proceeds of Crime Act and are currently deducting £100 per month from Pishides' disability living allowance payments.

Pishides' lawyer Mr. James Maloney told the court: "The risk of re-conviction is low, the public is not at risk from the defendant.

"His disability would make imprisonment more stressful and difficult than able-bodied defendants and he would be vulnerable to those in the system with more know-how than him."

Pishides suffers from a genetic eye condition, which restricts his field of vision to only 10% and he needs times four magnification in his right eye - his best - to see normally.

"He lost a lot of his life skills, his confidence, his self-esteem and did fall into some form of depression," added Mr. Maloney. "He is genuinely resourceful about this."

Judge Donne added: "He was pretty well off compared to a lot of people and it must have been apparent to him that what he was doing was quite egregious.

"What is the court to do with someone who commits offences on this scale for this period of time?

"However, it is a simple fact prison would be more difficult for someone with his difficulties and I have wrestled in my mind as to the correct sentence in this case."

“Bregaj
fired numerous shots in a public area over a seemingly trivial
argument about a business venture.

“This
would have been a terrifying experience for the victims, who
thankfully have now made a full recovery from their injuries.

"I
hope this result sends a clear message that Trident officers will
continue to relentlessly pursue and bring to justice those
individuals who bring harm to their communities through acts of
violence, gun and gang criminality.

“If
you have any information on gun and gang crime please do not hesitate
in contacting the police."

Wednesday, 25 December 2013

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year from everybody here at Square Mile News.We hope you are all safe and well and are enjoying a wonderful time with family, friends and loved ones.

This last year has been the most prolific in terms of breaking news stories for Square Mile News and our Christmas wish is to continue to be even more successful in the coming twelve months.

Bromige,
of Holland Road, South Norwood pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames
Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving; death while
unlicensed and uninsured; failing to stop at an accident and failing
to report an accident.

He
was remanded in custody until February 7.

Officers
were deployed in Reigate Avenue, Rosehill in the early hours of
September 20 on a speed enforcement operation when PC Duncan
signalled for Bromige to pull over.

However,
the defendant ignored this request and drove the vehicle into the
officer, abandoning it a short distance later.

Father-of-two
PC Duncan, who had served twenty-three years, had sustained multiple
injuries and died in the early hours of September 22.

Detective
Chief Inspector John McFarlane, said: “On the night of September 20
Bromige who was not legally permitted to drive, was doing so
dangerously, recklessly and his actions led to the tragic death of PC
Andy Duncan.

“He
callously failed to stop leaving a critically injured officer at the
scene.

“Andy’s
death has had a profound effect on his family, friends and colleagues
and Bromige now faces a jail sentence to reflect on the devastation
that he has caused.”

Monday, 23 December 2013

A
double rapist, who pounced on a second victim in a copycat attack
while on bail for the first offence, is facing years behind bars.

James
Isted, 27, (pictured) of Tintagel Road, Orpington stalked his
victims, aged 17 and 27 year-old from behind – hitting the first
over the head and threatening the second with a knife.

Both
attacks ocurred in Church Hill, Orpington on September 30, 2011 and
May 7, last year respectively.

Isted
was convicted of two counts of rape and robbery against the women and
assaulting a police officer on May 7 and will be sentenced on
February 7.

Croydon
Crown Court heard the first rape ocurred at 2.40am when the defendant
struck the teenage girl from behind and dragged her into the
graveyard of All Saints Church.

She
was subjected to a harrowing and lengthy ordeal and Isted left with
her handbag, which contained a mobile phone and other personal items.

Isted
was arrested a few days later on October 4 and was on bail pending
further enquiries when he struck again.

This
time he approached the victim from behind at 1.30pm – threatened
her with a knife – and raped her in the graveyard.

This
time a witness reported the daylight attack and Isted was arrested
by police after a short chase in possession of the victim's bank card
and jewellery, including her engagement ring.

Detective
Inspector Faye Churchyard, of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and
Child Abuse Command, said: “Isted has shown a total disregard for
both victims in this case, forcing them to re-live their ordeal by
pleading not guilty to the offences.

“Both
victims have shown immense courage in attending court and facing
their attacker.

“I
hope their determination and success in seeing him convicted will go
some way in providing them with some closure.

“I
believe there may be other victims who have not come forward and I
urge them or any victim of rape to tell the police what happened to
them.

“Specially
trained officers together with our partners are here to support you
throughout the process."

Sunday, 22 December 2013

A
odd pair of thugs – armed with a knife and baseball bat – settled
a local feud in a betting shop, leaving their victim needing 14
stitches and treatment for bumps and bruises.

Perry
Young, 30, (pic.top) and James Sullivan, 58, (pic.bottom) were each
jailed for two-and-a-half years for inflicting grievous bodily harm
and possession of an offensive weapon.

Inner
London Crown Court heard Young, of Barkworth Road, South Bermondsey
and Sullivan, of nearby Acanthus Drive had threatened their victim
during an ongoing dispute.

In
May they pounced on him inside a Rotherhithe William Hill betting
shop – attacking him in front of shocked memebers of the public.

Witnesses
said they entered the betting shop brandishing the weapons, shouting
and swearing aggressively.

The
victim was chased around the shop and pushed into the glass front
door, causing it to crack.

They
pursued the victim outside and continued to hit him as he lay on
ground.

When
police arrived they found the victim suffering bruises and bumps to
the head and a puncture wound in his back that required 14 stitches.

He
was taken to hospital and is still receiving treatment to this day.

Detective
Constable Marlon Guthrie of Southwark CID said: "I am pleased
with the result and hope it acts as a deterrent to others.

“They
gave little consideration to the frightened staff at the bookmakers
and members of the public, who genuinely feared for their safety as
Sullivan and Young violently assaulted the victim."

Detective
Sergeant Iain Duncan Smith, of Southwark CID, said: "This was a
difficult investigation to bring to conclusion due to fear within the
community of reprisals.

“Had
it not been for the intervention of the Police and in particular
Detective Constable Marlon Guthrie's tenacity throughout the
investigation these individuals would have most likely not been
brought to justice.

“I
would like to thank my team of officers who have worked tirelessly in
bringing all of those involved before the courts.”

Saturday, 21 December 2013

A Northern Ireland lorry driver,
caught transporting criminal money to the continent, was told yesterday to expect a “significant” prison sentence for the
£200,000-plus plot.Anthony Robert McDermott, 50, of Knockadore, Newtownbutler, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh and his
two co-conspirators were under police observation as they laundered
cash from various criminal sources.He pleaded guilty at Southwark
Crown Court to conspiring to transfer criminal property, namely
£17,490 and €116,000, between August 31 and October 28, last year.Sean Michael Tossell, 46, of Elm House, 50 Holmesdale Road, Teddington, Middlesex and Hayden
John Walker, 42, of Queenswood Avenue, Wallington, Croydon also
admitted the same count.McDermott alone also pleaded
guilty to possessing criminal property, namely £100,100, on October
27 at Colchester Services on the A12, Essex.Prosecutor Mr. Bill McGivern told
the court: “He was using the lorry to ship money out of the
jurisdiction.“He is based in Northern
Ireland, comes to England and then the continent, taking that money
from the UK out and passing it on.”Whether the money is the profits
of drug dealing, fraud or any other criminal activity is not clear
and Mr. McGivern added: “We have our suspicions, but nothing can be
put before the court. We say the monies come from different criminal
sources.”The cash was concealed within
Budweiser and a Marks and Spencer packages.The prosecution describe Tossell
as an “organiser” and Walker a “trusted courier” who was
twice observed passing money to McDermott.However, Walker claims his
involvement was limited to those two occasions and he was paid £200
each time, only knowing it was cash during the second trip.“I was not aware of what was in
the first package, but I could see the second packet contained cash,
which I thought was suspicious,” Walker stated in his basis of
plea.“I have no knowledge of where
the money came from or where it was going.”Mr. McGivern replied: “Those are
the only two days we can say he passed the money to McDermott. There
is no evidence to say he had an organising role.”“Mr. Tossell is the contact
between the two. He is in an organising role, organising the delivery
by Walker to McDermott.”Judge Peter Testar remanded all
three in custody until sentencing on January 24 telling them: “There
are no promises and the overwhelming likelihood has to be significant
sentences.”

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

A
drug dealer, who laundered over £23,000 inside his kitchen
dishwasher, has had the cash confiscated and will be unable to enjoy
his illicit profits when released from prison.

Joseph
Leslie Pitts, 27, of Sparrows Lane, Eltham failed to wash the cash,
which was seized from inside a safe (pic.bottom), hidden inside the
appliance.

On
Monday at Woolwich Crown Court an order was made under the Proceeds
of Crime Act, which requires Pitt to surrender £23,567 or serve an
additional term of custody.

He
was arrested on August 30, 2011 after police searched his vehicle in
Sidcup and after finding a small bag containing cannabis discovered
another 17 self-seal bags, totalling 25 gms of the drug.

Another
bag of cannabis was later found hidden in his clothing when he was
searched at the police station.

Police
search Pitts' home and 14 self seal bags containing 19 grams of
cannabis were found, along with other drugs paraphernalia, including
digital weighing scales and a quantity of empty self-seal bags ready
for use.

Officers
also found a stun gun disguised as a mobile phone and the cash inside
the safe.

Following
a lengthy investigation, Pitts was charged in July, last year with
two counts of possession, with intent to supply cannabis, two counts
of possession of cannabis, possession of criminal property and
possession of a stun gun.

He
was eventually convicted of the offences at the same court and on
August 5 was sentenced to sixteen months imprisonment.

Detective
Sergeant Michael McElroy from the Metropolitan Police Service's
Criminal Finance Team said: “This case has been lengthy and
difficult, but meticulous investigation has ensured justice has been
done.

“Pitts
denied the money was his and produced witnesses whom he claimed the
money belonged to - but their evidence was not found to be credible.

“The
Criminal Finance Team, working closely with local officers, will
rigorously use the Proceeds of Crime legislation to ensure that drug
dealers and other criminals are not allowed to enjoy the fruits of
their illegal labour.”

Sunday, 15 December 2013

A
“dangerous” peadophile who preyed on an autisitic teenage boy he
forced to give him oral sex in a leisure centre changing room has
been locked-up for eight years.

John
Bartholomew, 50, (pictured) of Church Road, Crystal Palace ordered
the vulnerable 15 year-old into a cubicle and once alone the
frightened youth was forced to perform sex acts.

He
was convicted at Croydon Crown Court of rape and sexual assault at
the Walnuts Leisure Centre, Orpington on October 9, last year.

The
victim was asked by Bartholomew, who he recognised from previous
visits to the venue, to follow him into his cubicle – and fearing
for his safety, the victim agreed.

Once
inside the cubicle Bartholomew sexually assaulted the boy before
performing oral sex on him.

Bartholomew
then forced the victim to perform oral sex on him.

The
victim managed to escape from the changing room and alerted staff who
called police.

Officers
attended and Bartholomew was arrested as he left the leisure centre.

Detective
Constable Ann Downes from Sapphire, part of the Met's Sexual
Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, led the
investigation.

She
said: "Bartholomew preyed on this victim's vulnerability,
manipulating the situation to isolate him and attack him.

"Bartholomew
was found guilty by a jury and I welcome this conviction. I hope it
serves as a warning to others who may be tempted to pursue children
in this way."

Detective
Inspector Faye Churchyard, also of Sapphire, added: "Bartholomew
is a dangerous man.

“It
is likely that he stalked his victim over a period of time and then
struck when he thought he would go undetected.

"The
victim has found the courage to see his attacker convicted and I
commend him and his family who have shown immense strength through
what must be an incredibly difficult time.

"Bartholomew
is now in prison and I would appeal to anybody else affected by this
man's behaviour to come forward and speak to police - specially
trained officers and partner agencies will support you."

Saturday, 14 December 2013

A
couple who were left physically and mentally shattered by a campaign
of harassment after withdrawing their home from sale have seen their
prosepctive buyer jailed.

Majid
Shamas, 37, (pictured) of Capworth Street, Leyton, east London made a
series of hoax 999 calls, reporting false incidents at the address,
after the sale fell through.

He
was sentenced to eleven weeks imprisonment by Thames Magistrates'
Court, which also imposed an indefinite restraining order to protect
the victims – a married couple aged 48 and 47 years-old – in the
future.

Shamas
pleaded guilty to harassment and misuse of public electronic
communications data.

The
court heard between October 4, 2011 and August 19, last year 2012
Shamas continued his campaign after illness forced the couple to
cancel the sale of their home.

Shamas
used a variety of telephone numbers when calling emergency services.

He
was suspected of involvement and arrested by police on November 28,
last year.

To
prove it was the voice of the suspect, the services of a voice
recognition expert were employed and confirmed that Shamas was the
man that had made the hoax calls.

Detective
Constable Rebecca Woodsford, said: “This sentence sends a clear
message that this kind of behaviour is not tolerated.

“I
would like to commend the victims for having the both the courage and
strength to come forward.

“This
has been a life-changing experience for them both, which has
unfortunately taken its toll both physically and mentally.”

Friday, 13 December 2013

A
boozy off-duty policeman punched a West End nightclub doorman in the
face during a late-night race-hate attack when denied entry with a
female companion.

Police
Constable James Balneaves, 29, pulled out his warrant card –
effectively putting him back on-duty – and demanded to see the
manager while refusing to budge.

He
shouted: “Go back to where you come from,” as he struck the
doorman, cutting his face.

The
Brent borough officer, whose career is in tatters as a result of the
conviction, pleaded guilty to racially-aggravated assault outside the
Opal Bar, (pictured) Embankment on October 19.

Westminster
Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that PC Balneaves had been drinking during a
Saturday night out with his female companion, but they were both
denied admission on the grounds of drunkeness.

Police
were called immediately and PC Balneaves was arrested and placed on
restricted duties.

Thursday, 12 December 2013

A "greedy and extravagant" financial advisor, who battered his millionaire Mayfair client to death after looting £343,000 to fund a lifestyle of flash cars and expensive hotels, holidays and restaurants, has been jailed for life.

David Jeffs, 36, who must serve a minimum of 24 years, murdered wealthy socialite Roberto Troyan, 63, (pic.top) who had received a large inheritance from his late his civil partner, interior designer Anthony Feldman.

Mr. Justice Singh told Jeffs, who had never been in trouble with the police before: "Clearly you had a confrontation with Mr. Troyan in his flat, but exactly what happened or the reason for that confrontation is not clear from the evidence.

"However, what is clear is that you then killed Mr. Troyan. You hit him with a blunt instrument at least three times.

"The injuries were so severe that his skull was fractured and his jaw was left hanging loose. Indeed the injuries to Mr. Troyan's head were so serious that at first it was though by the emergency services that he had been shot and an armed response unit was called to the scene."

Twice-married father-of-one Jeffs (pic.bottom), the son of an ambulance driver, whose first job was with Pearl Assurance had an ordinary upbringing in Peterborough and attended Walton Junior and Senior School.

However, Jeffs had another side to his character that included cheating the taxman, plagiarising his fellow-student girlfriend's work at university, lying about his poor finance qualifications and taking cocaine and ecstasy.

The jury were told he abused Mr. Troyan's trust, buying himself two Lotus sports cars, blowing £19,500 in one night at lap dancing club Spearmint Rhino and treating himself to "expensive" holidays in the USA, Mauritius and Ibiza.

There were also VIP rugby and polo events, stays at expensive hotels, meals at top restaurants, and a £1150 night at celebrity West End club Chinawhite.

Mr. Justice Singh added: "You were in a position of trust, you were supposed to be looking after Mr. Troyan's interests. Instead you chose to take advantage of him and line your own pocket."

Despite two pre-signed cheques bouncing Jeffs continued paying Mr. Troyan's money into his own account on eight occasions over a two-year period.

"I have no doubt that you are an intelligent man and a smooth talker, but when you get into trouble you try to lie your way out of it.

"You are a thoroughly dishonest man. You took advantage of a man who trusted you and you took his money so that you could spend it on your greedy and extravagant lifestyle.

Jeffs, of Larch Close, Arnold, Nottingham denied, but was convicted of murdering Mr. Troyan at the Mount Street address on March 8 and defrauding him between March 1, 2010 and December 2, last year.

He received a concurrent six-year sentence for the fraud.

"This defendant took advantage of a frail and vulnerable man for his own gains over a long period," explained prosecutor Mr. Edward Brown QC at the start of the trial.

"As a result he was able to live the high life, but all at the expense of the deceased, who when the defendant first met him was a rich man. He died less rich by hundreds of thousands of pounds thanks to this defendant's dishonesty.

"The defendant kept the true source of his spending power from everyone. He had come to rely on the deceased, or his wealth, for his own lifestyle.

"When the life to which the defendant happily had become accustomed appeared to him to be about suddenly to come to an end and that there was a real possibility that his callous acts would soon be found out, he killed him."

Jeffs was employed by London and Weybridge, Surrey-based HFM Columbus, a partnership of financial and wealth management firms and invested £1.2 million for Mr. Troyan in an off-shore bank.

Mr. Troyan, who suffered fatal head injuries, was one half of the first-ever civil partnership in the UK and Mr. Feldman's clients included Princess Michael of Kent and Jonathan Aitken and his American family describe themselves as: "overcome with grief."

He was found on his blood-splattered kitchen floor by his cleaner and had suffered multiple skull fractures, a fractured jaw, cheek and eye-socket and had inhaled blood into his airways.

Mr. Troyan had enjoyed spending his ex-partner's inheritance and hosted cocaine parties at the flat and was known to have had several gay lovers.

CCTV evidence showed Jeffs spent 15 minutes inside the flat after Mr. Troyan buzzed him in and afterwards bought identical clothes and cleaned-up his Lotus car and himself at a petrol station.

He told police there was no answer at Mr. Troyan's door, but after the deceased's blood was found on his briefcase he claimed to have had a confrontation on the landing with an angry blood-stained mystery man.

In a desperate bid to explain away damning DNA evidence Jeffs told the jury the man was probably a "rent boy" or "angry pimp."

"This was plainly a wholly false account. It was invented to cater for the blood that had in truth come from his own contact with Mr. Troyan and Mr. Troyan's wet blood during the attack," added Mr. Brown.

"The deceased's blood came to be on that briefcase because this defendant, in those fifteen minutes, was the one who, perhaps in just a few seconds or minutes, beat that frail man, most likely because he was about to bring to an end his gravy train, his lifestyle and very possibly his liberty."

The victim's rental lease was due for renewal on March 9 and he had arranged to meet Jeffs the day before so more cash could be withdrawn from his bank account to meet the expense.

Jeffs tried to lie his way out of the fraud, telling police police he was Mr. Troyan's £1,000 a week "financial concierge" and had been paid two years salary in advance.

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

A research doctor, who lost his only son when he inexplicably stopped in the middle a busy dual carriageway, causing a speeding tipper lorry to crash into the family car, has received a suspended sentence along with the HGV driver.

Dr. Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala, 45, claims his mind is a "blank" concerning the tragedy, which claimed the life of ten year-old Hendrick Kandala, (pic.top) who was sitting in the back seat next to his two sisters, when he suffered a fatal brain injury.

Dr. Kandala, (pic.mid.) of Dorchester Way, Coventry, who leads a research team at the city's University Hospital and Nathan Hopgood, 45, (pic.bottom) of Norman Court, Edenbridge, Kent were both convicted of causing death by careless driving.

The fully-loaded lorry was travelling at approximately 53 mph in a 40 mph zone and Hopgood was driving too fast to avoid colliding with the car, which also contained Dr. Kandala's wife Diane, 35.

Judge Anuja Dhir QC announced: "This is a tragic case. An innocent ten year-old boy lost his life as a result of carelessness from two grown men and one of those men was his father.

"It is a matter of chance no one else was killed or seriously injured when Dr. Kandala stopped suddenly and without good reason and Mr. Hopgood was driving his lorry too fast to prevent a fatal collision.

"Each of you will have to live with the consequences of your actions, which have not only ended the life of Hendrick Kandala, but blighted the life of his mother and other family members.

"For Dr. Kandala the responsibility for causing his son's death will be a heavy burden to bear.

"Mr. Hopgood had a degree of responsibility to other road users, but drove significantly in excess of the speed limit on an A road and Dr. Kandala was directly responsible for the children in his care, but effected a thoroughly dangerous manoeuvre, stopping the car without warning or good reason."

Hendrick was rushed to hospital, but with the consent of his parent's his life support machine was switched off the next day.

Hopgood received ten months, suspended for twelve months, a ten month ban was ordered to pay £1,200 costs and must pass an extended driving test to regain his licence.

Dr. Kandala's lawyer Mr. Tim Brown said: "He should not suffer immediate custody today. I point to the remorse and devastation and the fact that he has lost his only son.

"The victim's in this case include Dr. Kandala himself, it is a truly tragic situation."

There is still no explanation for the sudden stop in the middle of fast-moving traffic, but Mr. Brown added: "Whatever it was, a momentary distraction, it caused a wrong reaction that caused the car to stop,

"This is an exceptionally unusual case and there are none of the usual aggravating features, no drugs or alcohol, no course of driving.

"Whatever the actions of the court they cannot match the punishment that is his.

"The family is devastated by what has happened, but they are holding together as a unit and his surviving children need the support of their father."

Dr. Kandala's wife is due to give birth to another child on December 21.

"Dr. Kandala is an exceptionally worthwhile individual in many respects and immediate custody would be beyond what is necessary.

"He has a blemish-free driving record of over twenty years to this point and it was a momentary aberration rather than a course of conduct where he deliberately took a risk.

"He has been taxed about why it happened and simply says: 'I don't know.'

"Going to prison today would add devastation on devastation. this is a tragic and unique case."

Hopgood's lawyer Mr. Tom Stern told the court: "This man is deeply, deeply saddened and troubled by the fact there is a loss of life in this case.

"He has not driven trucks since this event and the effects have been devastating on him."

The court heard hopgood has received counselling for post-traumatic stress disorder and Mr. Stern added: "The vehicle ground to an emergency stop in front of him."

Hopgood was the only driver under police investigation until CCTV images recovered a year later revealed Dr. Kandala's careless driving.